§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Secretary for Mines the net estimated yield of profit to the collieries of this country in 1928, 1929, and 1930?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIn 1928, the net losses of the coal mining industry as a whole were about £10,000,000. In 1929, the net profits amounted to about £4,400,000, and during January to September, 1930 (the latest period available), to about £2,500,000. The figures given are based on the returns furnished in connection with the wages ascertainments, and exclude those items which, by agreement, are inadmissible as charges for the purpose of those ascertainments, such as interest on debentures or other loans, bank charges, amortisation and taxation.